Inventive Problem Solving Overview.

1. TRIZ
TRIZ
Theory of Inventive Problem
Solving
An Overview
E.H. Gillespie
April 19, 2010
April 19, 2010

2. What If?
What If?
• What is in this book?
What is in this book?
• W ld i h l
Would it help you to
have a method to find
solutions for difficult
l ti f diffi lt
problems with a better
chance of success?
h f ?

3. What is TRIZ?
What is TRIZ?
• TRIZ is a Russian acronym standing for
“Theory of Inventive Problem Solving”
Theory of Inventive Problem Solving
• TRIZ …
– Is a systematic structured way of thinking
Is a systematic, structured way of thinking.
– Captures the science of technological evolution.
–H l b k
Helps break psychological inertia.
h l i li i
– Focuses on generating innovative concepts

4. How can TRIZ help me?
How can TRIZ help me?
• TRIZ can help
TRIZ can help
– Solve current technical problems.
– A hi
Achieve significant cost reductions.
i ifi t t d ti
– Produce breakthrough new products.
– Produce intellectual property outright and/or
/
avoid intellectual property conflicts with others.
–FForecast technological development.
tt h l i ld l t

5. But it may be hard to help
some folks....
f

6. Acknowledgement
I am deeply indebted to Awad Gharib of Danaher
Tool Group who trained and mentored me on this
l h i d d d hi
subject. His teachings and synthesis of other
references were invaluable in the preparation of
references were invaluable in the preparation of
this presentation.

7. Where are we headed?
Where are we headed?
• TRIZ is a broad collection of tools and
TRIZ is a broad collection of tools and
methods.
• T d I l
Today I plan to ….
– Introduce the history and foundations of TRIZ.
– Discuss how TRIZ fits into problem solving
processes, and
– Illustrate the application of the fundamental tools
and techniques.

8. How do we solve problems?
How do we solve problems?
Problem Limitations:
Definition
• Problem definition is often
haphazard.
p
Concept • Concept development often
Development
g
grounded in trial and error.
• Concepts tried are often biased
Verification by psychological inertia.
– Prior knowledge & experience
– Words
Implementation
– Pictures, objects & images

9. The Origin of TRIZ
The Origin of TRIZ
• Genrich S. Altschuller is
Genrich S. Altschuller is
considered the father of TRIZ.
• As a patent clerk in 1946
p
initiated a study of inventive
patents.
• He considered the history of
the successful products and
technologies.
h l
Genrich S. Altshuller (1926 ‐ 1998)
The father of TRIZ

10. Altshuller s Work
Altshuller’s Work
• Studied 200 000 patents worldwide
Studied 200,000 patents worldwide.
• Identified 40,000 “inventive” patents
• Key contributions:
– Levels of invention
– Patterns of invention
– Definition of inventive problem
– Patterns of evolution
– Algorithm for inventive problem solving (ARIZ)
g p g( )

11. Levels of Invention
Levels of Invention
• Level 5: Discovery
– Pioneering of an essentially new system
f ll
– New Science
• Level 4: Invention outside the paradigm
p g
– New generation of system based on changing the principle
novation
performing the primary function
– Solution derived from science, not technology.
• Level 3: Invention inside the paradigm
Level 3: Invention inside the paradigm
creasing Inn
– Essential improvement of an existing system
– Methods from other fields.
Inc
• Level 2: Improvement
L l2 I
– Small improvements of an existing system, usually with
compromise
– Methods from the same industry
• Level 1: Apparent solution (no invention)
– Established solutions – well known and readily available

12. Distribution of Inventions by Level
Distribution of Inventions by Level

13. Patterns of Invention
Patterns of Invention
• Altschuller noted that different patents in different
noted that different patents in different
technological areas (often years apart) often reflect the
same “solution”.
• These fundamental solutions are called “operators”
• For example, patents were issued for …
– Shelling sunflower seeds
Shelling s nflo er seeds
– Coring bell peppers
– Cleaning filters
g
– Splitting diamonds (27 years after sunflower seeds)
– The operator ‐ all of these solutions involve slowly
increasing and then rapidly decreasing pressure
increasing and then rapidly decreasing pressure

14. Operator Example
Operator Example ‐ Mathematics
Abstract Problem Abstract Solution
aX2 + bX + c = 0 X = (‐b +/‐ (b2 – 4ac)1/2)/2a
( / ( ) )/
Specific Problem Specific Solutions
3X2 + 5X + 2 = 0 1.5 & .5
Trial & Error

15. Altshuller s Contribution
Altshuller’s Contribution
Operators
p
The World’s Problems The World’s Solutions
Abstraction Specialization
My Problem My Solution
Trial & Error

16. Primary Assumptions for TRIZ
Primary Assumptions for TRIZ
• Technological systems don’t evolve randomly
Technological systems don t evolve randomly
but according to objective patterns.
• These patterns can be revealed from patents
These patterns can be revealed from patents
and can be purposely applied without
numerous blind trials.
numerous blind trials
“Inventive problems can be codified classified
Inventive problems can be codified, classified
and solved methodically, just like other
engineering problems.
engineering problems ”
‐ G. S. Altshuller

17. TRIZ Process
TRIZ Process
Problem Problem Problem Evaluate
Definition Classification Solving Concepts
• State initial • Detection/ • Contradiction
situation Measurement Matrix
• Analyze Implementation
• Conflict • Separation
situation rules
• Harmful
• Analyze
functions
f ti Action • ARI
ARIZ
• Apply ideal • Absent Action • Direct ways
ways • Technological • Indirect ways
• Look for Forecast • Special ways
Special ways
contradictions

18. Initial Situation
Initial Situation
• Necessary to pull out knowledge base from diverse
perspectives and align team members
• Use a structured template
– State objective
St t bj ti
– Develop problem statements, known solutions, and history.
– State the purpose of system
p p y
– Define system, sub‐systems, and super‐system
– System environment
– Resources (functional, materials, fields, space, information…)
(f l l f ld f )
– Constraints
– Evaluation criteria
Evaluation criteria
• As many as 25% of problems are “solved” at this stage

19. Function Analysis
Function Analysis
• One technique to break psychological inertia
One technique to break psychological inertia.
• Helps discriminate between “What” (function)
and Why (reason)
and “Why” (reason).
• Helps understand how system works.
• Sets up use of Ideal Ways
Sets up use of Ideal Ways
• Vehicle for knowledge transfer
• Another 25% of problems are typically
“solved” at this stage.

20. Function Analysis Example
Function Analysis Example

21. Substance‐Field (Su‐Field)
Diagrams
Field
Mech.
Force
Tool Object
Useful Function
Sharpener Pencil
X
Harmful Function
The function of the sharpener is to sharpen the pencil

22. Function Dimensions
Function Dimensions
• Field Types
Field Types • Function Types • Function Classes
Function Types Function Classes
– Mechanical – Useful – Basic
– Thermal • Adequate – Secondary
• Insufficient
– Chemical – Auxiliary
• Exceeding
– Electrical • Assisting
– Harmful • C
Correcting
ti
– Magnetic
– Absent – Detection or
– Acoustic
Measurement
Problem
Solving Cost
Fight
Reduction
Inertia
I ti

23. Consider the System Scale
Consider the System Scale
Function of Screw
Function of Blade
Function of Guide
Function of Graphite Function of Wood

24. Su field Diagrams Extended
Su‐field Diagrams Extended
Wood
W d
Wood X Shavings
Can also envision:
•Lead tearing paper
Pointed •Line too fine
Sharpener Paper •Line too broad
•Line too broad
Graphite
X •Pencil dull
Graphite
Graphite X Shavings

25. Ideality
Value = Benefit / Cost
/
Ideality = Fu / (Fh + Fc )
Useful Functions Harmful Functions Cost Function
If (Fh + Fc ) = 0 then
Ideality = Infinity
The ideal system, sub‐system, or component does not exist
but its function is performed.

26. Ideal Ways
Ideal Ways
• Ideal Way #1
– Eliminate the need for the function of an item and,
l h df h f f d
therefore, the item itself.
• Ideal Way #2
Ideal Way #2
– Perform the function of the item but eliminate the
item itself.
– Use resources to perform the function
Use resources to perform the function.
• Ideal Way #3
– Make the item itself eliminate a harmful action or
Make the item itself eliminate a harmful action or
perform a new function without any complication or
deterioration.
– Use resources to eliminate harm
Use resources to eliminate harm.

27. Where Might It End?
Where Might It End?

28. Impact Universal Sockets
Impact Universal Sockets
• Older designs use pins
g p
and blocks to transmit
torque at an angle.
These were failure
These were failure
points.
• Applying the TRIZ
Applying the TRIZ
principle of ideal way #2
Block Pins
led to the ability to
transmit torque at an
t it t t No Block
angle without blocks & No Pins
and pins.
p

29. TRIZ Process
TRIZ Process
Problem Problem Problem Evaluate
Definition Classification Solving Concepts
• State initial • Detection/ • Contradiction
situation Measurement Matrix
• Analyze Implementation
• Conflict • Separation
situation rules
• Harmful
• Analyze
functions
f ti Action • ARI
ARIZ
• Apply ideal • Absent Action • Direct ways
ways • Technological • Indirect ways
• Look for Forecast • Special ways
Special ways
contradictions

30. Look For Contradictions
Look For Contradictions
• Defining characteristic of an inventive problem.
• Conventional solution – Compromise/Trade‐off
A B
• Breaking contradictions typically leads to
Breaking contradictions typically leads to
intellectual property.

31. Look For Contradictions
Look For Contradictions
• Contradictions can be classified as technical or
physical.
– For technical contradictions improving one system
p g y
characteristic causes another to deteriorate.
• Increased acceleration  Greater fuel consumption
• The contradiction matrix may be useful.
– For physical contradictions a characteristic must be
present and absent.
d b
• A linkage needs to be rigid and flexible.
•SSeparation rules are the tool of choice.
ti l th t l f h i

32. The Contradiction Matrix
The Contradiction Matrix
• All too often…
– The only tool associated with TRIZ.
– Applied prematurely and inappropriately.
• Altshuller developed lists of 39 design parameters and
40 inventive principles (or operators).
• Altshuller then created a 39 X 39 matrix. The rows
represent parameters that we want to change, and the
columns are parameters that might be in conflict.
l t th t i ht b i fli t
• Matrix intersections contain the inventive principles
that have been used to break the contradiction.
that have been used to break the contradiction

33. Ratcheting Box Wrenches
Ratcheting Box Wrenches
• Using a traditional
Using a traditional
box end wrench in
a constrained area
can be slow.
• A socket and
ratchet is typically
much faster but
much faster but
may not fit.

34. The Contradiction Matrix
The Contradiction Matrix
4. Length of stationary object: the linear Parameter in Conflict
measure of an object s length, height, or
measure of an object’s length, height, or 3 4 5
width in the direction for which no
ationary object
moving object
oving object
observed movement occurs.
25. Waste of time: increase in the
25 Waste of time: increase in the
Area of mo
Length of m
Length of sta
amount of time needed to complete
an action.
30, 24,
, ,
Parameter to Improve
e
24 Loss of information 1, 26 26 14, 5 30, 26
15, 2, 30, 24, 26, 4,
25 Waste of time
29 14, 5 5, 16
29, 14, 15, 14,
26 Amount of substance
35, 18 29
Potential operators to consider:
Potential operators to consider:
30 ‐ Flexible film or thin membranes 14 ‐ Spheroidality
24 ‐ Mediator 5 ‐ Combining (integration)

35. Ratcheting Box Wrenches
Ratcheting Box Wrenches
• This contradiction can be eliminated by combining a
This contradiction can be eliminated by combining a
box end profile with a ratcheting mechanism.

36. Contradiction Matrix Caveats
Contradiction Matrix Caveats
• DO NOT short circuit the problem definition step
DO NOT short circuit the problem definition step.
• Be sure to develop a thorough understanding of
the conflict(s) investigated.
the conflict(s) investigated.
• The design parameters and the inventive
p
principles are worded generically and have
p g y
particular definitions/descriptions. Use them!
• Posing alternative contradictions may help.
• Interpretation requires abstraction to go from
your case to a general case and specialization to
get back again.
b k i

37. Conditions for Separation Rules
Conditions for Separation Rules
• F
For physical contradictions, a characteristic
h i l t di ti h t i ti
must be present and absent.
• Contradictions exist only in time and space
• To eliminate the contradiction, contradictory
requirements must be separated.
• Separation rules work best for basic functions.
Separation rules work best for basic functions.

38. Separation Rules
Separation Rules
• Consider:
– Separation in Time
–SSeparation in Space
ti i S
– Separation between components and the whole
– Separation between parameters or upon
condition

39. Separation Rules
Separation in Time
The Contradiction
The “Contradiction”
Separation in Space

40. Separation Between Parts & Whole
Separation Between Parts & Whole
A characteristic has one value at the system level and
A characteristic has one value at the system level and
the opposite value at the component level.
The chain is flexible but the link is rigid.
The chain is flexible but the link is rigid
A characteristic exists at the system level
and does not exist at the component
and does not exist at the component
level (or vice versa).
Epoxy resin and hardener are liquids as
Epoxy resin and hardener are liquids as
components but solidify when mixed.

41. Separation Based on Condition
Separation Based on Condition
Characteristic is high under one
Characteristic is high under one
condition and low under another.
Flow is high with liquids and low for
Flow is high with liquids and low for
solids.
Characteristic is present under one
condition and absent under another.
condition and absent under another.
The circuit is closed with movement in
the room and open when there isn t.
the room and open when there isn’t

42. ARIZ – Algorithm for Inventive
Problem Solving
• The concepts studied thus far are very helpful
The concepts studied thus far are very helpful
but can be perplexing for complex problems.
• Altshuller (and later others) developed this
Altshuller (and later others) developed this
algorithm to help users make informed
choices in applying the tools effectively.
choices in applying the tools effectively
• Each step is designed to modify the initial
understanding of a system to make getting to
d di f k i
a solutions easier.

43. ARIZ – Algorithm for Inventive
Problem Solving
• ARIZ consists of four parts :
ARIZ consists of four parts. :
– Part 1 – Formulation of system conflicts.
– Part 2 Analysis of the system conflicts and
Part 2 – Analysis of the system conflicts and
formulation of a mini‐problem.
– Part 3 – Analysis of available resources
Part 3 – Analysis of available resources.
– Part 4 – Development of conceptual solutions.
• Unfort natel a more detailed treatment ill
Unfortunately a more detailed treatment will
have to wait for another day.

44. Where have we been?
Where have we been?
• We have
We have …
– Introduced the history and foundations of TRIZ.
– Di
Discussed how TRIZ fits into problem solving
d h TRIZ fit i t bl l i
processes, and
– Introduced fundamental tools and techniques
Introduced fundamental tools and techniques.
• Function analysis
• Ideal ways
Ideal ways
• Contradiction resolution
• ARIZ

45. Questions?
5/5/2010 45

46. References
• Fey, V., Rivin, E., Innovation on Demand – New
ey, ., , ., o at o o e a d e
Product Development using TRIZ, Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2005
• Gharib, A., lecture notes, 2007
• Kaplan, S., An Introduction to TRIZ – The Russian
Theory of Inventive Problem Solving, Ideation
International, Inc., Southfield, MI, 2005
• T i k J Z
Terninko, J., Zusman, A., Zlotin, B., Systematic
A Zl ti B S t ti
Innovation – An introduction to TRIZ, St. Lucie
Press, Washington, D.C., 1998
Press Washington D C 1998